Candide

A satirical adventure novel that follows the young and naïve Candide as he travels across Europe and the Americas after being cast out of his sheltered home. Along the way, he endures wars, natural disasters, betrayal, and countless misfortunes, yet repeatedly encounters people who insist that everything happens for “the best of all possible worlds.” Through Candide's often absurd and tragic experiences, Voltaire humorously critiques blind optimism, organized religion, and social injustice. The novel ultimately suggests that rather than relying on philosophical theories to explain suffering, people should focus on practical work and improving their own lives—summed up in its famous conclusion that we must “cultivate our garden.”